Ospringe, Kent

Description
Ospringe, a village and a parish in Kent. The village stands three-quarters of a mile W of Faversham station on the L.C. & D.R. It has a post and money order office under Faversham; telegraph office, Faversham. The parish includes part of Faversham borough, and comprises 2873 acres; population of the civil parish, 1123; of the ecclesiastical, 1233. There is a parish council consisting of nine members. There are several mansions and other good residences. A Maison Dieu or hospital was founded here in 1235 by Henry III., was held by the Knights Templars, had a " Camera Regis" for the king's use when going to France by way of Dover, and was given at the dissolution of monasteries to St John's College, Cambridge. Many Roman relics have been found, and are supposed by some antiquarians to indicate Ospringe as the site of the Roman Durolevum. A very fine view is obtained from the railway, at its emergence from a cutting through Beacon Hill. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Canterbury; gross value, £290 with residence. Patron, St John's College, Cambridge. The church is ancient, in good condition; is built of flint, groined with stone; and consists of nave, aisles, and chancel.